by Enedina Perez
Staff Writer
Considered by many to be the most important event of the year, commencement weekend is approaching the University of La Verne and will begin Saturday, May 25.
According to Ruby Montaño-Cordova, associate dean of student life and director of commencement activities, the event will hold four major activities, throughout its two-day duration.
The Baccalaureate service, a traditional, non-denominational religious and musical service, will lead the activities on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the La Verne Church of the Brethren.
Following the service, the Graduates’ Dinner, with the theme, “A Window of Opportunities,” will take place at 6 p.m. in the lawn area in front of Founders Hall. Graduating students will be guests of the University and there will be a $15 fee for any other attendees.
Montaño-Cordova said that there will be three live entertainment groups present at the dinner, including a reggae, flamenco guitar and steel drum band.
On Sunday, from 7 to 10 a.m., a Commencement Breakfast Fest, provided by Aramark, will start the day for graduating students and guests participating in the undergraduate ceremony.
The final two main activities are the commencement ceremonies. According to Nicole Ramos, public relations assistant, ULV will award 1,978 degrees this year. Of these, 25 are associates, 1,017 are bachelors, 782 are masters and 154 are doctorates.
The procession and commencement ceremony for undergraduates will take place in Ortmayer Stadium at 9:30 a.m.
The stadium will open an hour before the ceremony for early seating. The speaker for the undergraduate commencement ceremony is Dr. William A. Cook, vice president of academic affairs and professor of English.
Finally, the procession and commencement ceremony for graduate candidates will take place at 4 p.m. to conclude commencement weekend.
Graduate commencement speaker Michael D. Flippin, president of the ULV College of Law Alumni Association, will share his speech, “What A Long, Strange Trip It’s Been.”
According to Montaño-Cordova, a group of staff and faculty members will sing the alma mater at the ceremonies.
“We want to make it a special celebration, with the gathering of the community to honor the candidates,” she said.
According to Montaño-Cordova, there were a few changes made in the planning process this year.
For one, the committee, divided into subcommittees, tried to increase the amount of information available.
“Our goal was to provide more timely information for the graduating students,” said Montaño-Cordova.
They sent out a package on the third week of April to every confirmed candidate containing all of the details and information needed for commencement.
“I still get phone calls from students regarding deadlines,” she said.
Another small change includes better assistance in directing people from one place to another.
Montaño-Cordova describes the planning process as “truly being a community effort.
“We’re in the process of getting things done,” she said. “We just need a few physical arrangements.”
Commencement Schedule, 1996
Thursday, May 23
Reception for Law Alumni and 1996 Graduates
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Home of Michael Flippin
Saturday, May 25
Cap, Gown and Hood Distribution
Noon-4 p.m.
Old Gym
Baccalaureate Robing
3:30 p.m.
Church of the Brethren
Baccalaureate Service
4 p.m.
Church of the Brethren
Graduates’ Dinner and Dance
6-10 p.m.
In front of Founders Hall
Sunday, May 26
Commencement Breakfast Fest
7-10 a.m.
Davenport Dining Hall
Cap, Gown and Hood Distribution
7:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Old Gym
Undergraduate Robing
8:45 a.m.
Student Center Gym
Faculty/Administrative Robing
9 a.m.
La Fetra Hall
Undergraduate Commencement
9:30 a.m.
Ortmayer Stadium
MPA Graduation Celebration Brunch
10 a.m.-noon
President’s Dining Room
Luncheon for Law Graduates
11 a.m.
Community Center
Ed.D. Hooding Ceremony
11:30 a.m.
Sheraton Suites Fairplex
D.P.A. Hooding Ceremony
1 p.m.
President’s Dining Room
College of Law Hooding Ceremony
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Church of the Brethren
Robing for Graduate/Doctoral Ceremony
3:15 p.m.
Student Center Gym
Faculty/Administrative Robing
3:30 p.m.
La Fetra Hall
Graduate/Doctoral Commencement
4 p.m.
Ortmayer Stadium
